Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The National Transportation Safety Board recommends reducing the limit. Some say it would save lives. Others say it's unreasonable.
By David Mills One drink could be the standard for drunken driving – at least for some people if the National Transporation Safety Board has its way. On Tuesday, the NTSB recommended states lower the blood-alcohol threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent. What do you think? Is the proposal reasonable? About 10,000 deaths a year are related to drunken driving. The NTSB says the lower limit would save 500 to 800 lives a year. Officials at the American Beverage Institute called the proposal "ludicrous." It said the average woman could reach the 0.05 percent limit by having one drink. In 2011, 323 people were killed by alcohol-related crashed in Illinois, which makes up 35 percent of the 918 total crash …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Oak Forest police reports, May 5-6 • Thief tries in vain to break open coin box on washer.
MONDAY, MAY 6 An attempt to pry open the coin box on a commercial Whirlpool washer in the laundry room of a building in the 5800 block of 158th Place damaged the appliance, according to a report. The damage was done sometime between noon April 23 and 2 p.m. April 26. No coins were taken. SUNDAY, MAY 5 Noel G. Martinez, 28, of the 5200 block of West 157th Place, was charged with driving under the influence, driving without insurance, leaving the scene of a crash and improper lane use, according to a report. Police were called about a loud crashing sound at about 3:18 a.m. in the 15600 block of Arroyo Drive, and a witness saw one of the drivers run away from the crash, the report stated. An officer found the driver and was holding him near …
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Oak Forest police reports, April 30 to May 1 • DUI for Oak Forest driver • Children's DVDs stolen from van.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 About $4,000 worth of jewelry was reported stolen from a home in the 5700 block of Chaucer Drive, according to a report. A platinum diamond ring, valued at $1,000, and a Tag Hauer watch, valued at $3,500, were found missing from the downstairs family room of the home. No arrests were reported. TUESDAY, APRIL 30 Margaret A. Owens, 42, of the 15400 block of Hickory Lane, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.08 and improper lane use, according to a report. Police saw a black Hyundai make a right turn at about 1:40 a.m., from Central Avenue onto 151st Street, the report stated. It crossed the solid road lines and nearly struck a vehicle stopped at the light. …
Friday, May 3, 2013
Oak Forest police reports, April 22-27 • Clothes stolen from delivery van • Mercury Sable reported stolen.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27 Sherri A. Urbanski, 40, of the 158000 block of Leclaire Avenue, was charged with driving under the influence, improper lane use, not wearing a seat belt and driving with a suspended license, according to a report. Police stopped a car traveling eastbound in the westbound lane in the 5500 block of 159th Street. An officer could smell a “moderate” amount of alcohol coming from the driver’s breath, according to the report. When asked for identification, Urbanaski handed her wallet to the officer and said “You find it. I can’t seem to see it,” the report stated. She was asked to perform field sobriety tests—she declined to take a breath test—and then was arrested. Urbanski is due in Bridgeview court June 19. TUESDAY, APRIL …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Midlothian police reports, April 21-29 • Marijuana found on man sleeping in his car • Midlothian man charged with possession of a controlled substance.
MONDAY, APRIL 29 Eric J. Bartkowiak, 26, of the 7600 block of West 173rd Street in Tinley Park, was charged with possession of 30 to 500 grams of marijuana and was cited for improper parking on the roadway, according to a report. Police spotted a black Chrysler at about 11:39 p.m., parked facing east in the westbound lane of Springfield Avenue, and the driver appeared to be sleeping, the report stated. An officer saw a plastic bag in the car containing a green leafy substance that, later, was determined to be 44 grams of marijuana. TUESDAY, APRIL 23 Charles R. Wilke, 37, of the 3800 block of West 153rd Place in Midlothian, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, obstructing a police officer and leaving the scene of a crash, …
Monday, April 15, 2013
Erica Gallardo, 19, was charged with aggravated DUI in connection with a 2-car accident last month, and prosecutors claim her blood-alcohol content was .117 percent, Sun-Times Media reports.
An Oak Forest teen was arrested Thursday on an aggravated driving under the influence charge in connection to a late March crash that paralyzed another driver, Sun-Times Media reports. READ: Check Out the Full Sun-Times Media Story for More Details Erica Gallardo, 19, and an Oak Forest High School graduate, was driving a 2001 Mercury Mountaineer at about 5 a.m. March 27, near the intersection of Steger and Richton roads in Steger when she crashed into the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, the report stated. The 26-year-old Oak Forest driver broke his thigh bone, injured his spine and was paralyzed from the waist down, the report added. Prosecutors claim she had a blood-alcohol content of .117 percent after the crash, the report stated. Gallardo …
Friday, April 12, 2013
Midlothian police reports, March 30 to April 2 • Catalytic converter taken • Crestwood driver found with drug paraphernalia.
TUESDAY, APRIL 2 A catalytic converter was sawed off from a car that was parked in the Metra parking lot, 147th Place and Waverly Avenue, according to a report. The owner had parked the car at about 6:30 a.m. and returned at 6 p.m. to find the part missing from his 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The cost to replace the converter is $300. MONDAY, APRIL 1 Eric A. Ramirez, 21, of the 13600 block of Lamon Avenue in Crestwood, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding, according to a report. Ramirez was stopped for speeding at about 9:40 p.m. near 14700 S. Cicero Ave. During the stop, an officer noticed a smell of burnt marijuana coming from Ramirez’s Ford Contour, the report stated. During a search, the officer found a multi-…
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Oak Forest police reports, March 27-31 • DUI charge after car crash • Burglar takes freezer, leaves the frozen food.
SUNDAY, MARCH 31 Rohtkumar K. Patel, 39, of the 16700 block of South Cicero Avenue, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash and leaving the scene of a crash, according to a report. Patel is accused of driving away from a crash that happened at about 1:13 a.m. near the intersection of 159th Street and Laramie. Police caught up with Patel at 167th Street and Cicero Avenue, where they found him standing next to his black 2010 Toyota Corolla. He was asked to perform field sobriety tests after police reported smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. He was arrested and, after being taken to the Oak Forest Police Department…
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Midlothian police reports, March 23-25 • Marijuana charge for Oak Forest man.
MONDAY, MARCH 25 Someone cut out the catalytic converters out of a bus used by the Bright Visions Learning Academy, according to a report. The preschool, which is at 14804 S. Cicero Ave., uses the bus to transport children. At about 3:30 on March 24, someone tried to start the bus and heard a weird noise. The bus was left in working order on March 22. SATURDAY, MARCH 23 Nicholus C. O'Neal, 27, of the 15000 block of South Leclaire Avenue in Oak Forest, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, according to a report. Police stopped a red Ford pickup truck at about 7:42 near the 14600 S. Hamlin Ave., after an officer noticed the passenger wasn't wearing a seatbelt. During the stop, an officer could smell a strong odor of fresh …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
There are warrants out for the arrest of more than 80 accused criminals in Midlothian. Today, Patch spotlights a few.
Jayson P. Mirabella, 34, is wanted on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. His last known address was in the 14900 block of Kostner in Midlothian. Bail was set at $2,000. Terrell R. McMiller, 34, is wanted on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. His last known address was in the 3600 block of West 147th Street in Midlothian. Bail was set at $5,000. Daniel Mateo, 31, is wanted on charges of violating bail bond and criminal sexual assault with an object. His last known address was in the 14500 block of Kedvale in Midlothian. No bail was set. Jesus J. Martinez, 42, is wanted on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. His last known address was in the 3600 block of West 152nd Place in Midlothian. Bail …
Lenny
9:38 am on Monday, May 20, 2013
Me and several of my buds used to go out for beers after the softball or basketball games, but we stopped. We'd go up to Charlestons or Tribes and get some food and a few beers. We were always good for $150-$200 tab. We decided to just meet over at each-others place as we are all in the same subdivision. We get some killer craft beer and sirloin burgers and grill-out. Quality has improved and … more ›